2021 Update

Renewable Energy for Remote Communities Program

Delivered by Coast Funds and the Fraser Basin Council under the CleanBC Plan

There are no further intakes for Renewable Energy for Remote Communities (RERC) program funding planned at this time. This funding stream is now closed. Take a look at the projects funded in 2021.

In the news! A look at project coverage.

• Microgrid Saves Money, Cuts Carbon for First Nation Community in British Columbia

• Xeni Gwet’in First Nation celebrates solar electrical expansion for community

• Kwadacha First Nation interview with CBC Daybreak
  
  
• First Nation granted almost $500K for school solar-power project to reduce reliance on diesel (CBC)

• Kwadacha First Nation receives provincial support for school's solar installation (Alaska Highway News)

• Hesquiaht First Nation receives funding for solar panel project at its community school (Ha-Shilth-Sa)

• Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation taking steps to transition from diesel (Prince George Citizen)

Program Overview

As part of CleanBC, the Province of British Columbia’s Renewable Energy for Remote Communities (RERC) Program aims to reduce reliance on diesel by funding the capital costs of renewable electricity projects. The program is designed to complement other initiatives that assist remote communities as they undertake energy planning, increase energy efficiency, and decarbonize their energy systems.

The RERC Program is a key part of the CleanBC Remote Community Energy Strategy (RCES). The Strategy targets the largest diesel generating stations in BC and aims to reduce province-wide diesel consumption for generating electricity in remote communities by 80% by 2030.

On behalf of the Province, Coast Funds and the Fraser Basin Council (FBC) are responsible for delivering up to $16.5 million to remote communities to develop renewable electricity projects. Coast Funds is responsible for delivering the RERC Program with First Nations located in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii regions. The Fraser Basin Council is responsible for delivering the RERC Program with all other remote communities in BC.

The program supports renewable electricity projects by funding construction activities such as engineering, contract labour, equipment for project construction, training costs, technology procurement and associated materials.

Program Purpose

The goal of the program is to facilitate the displacement of diesel electricity generation by constructing renewable electricity generation projects that decarbonize remote energy systems, thereby enhancing social and economic resilience in remote communities that are diesel dependent.

Funding Rounds and Projects Funded

1st Intake: January to June 2020

The Fraser Basin Council allocated $5.9 million for Hesquiaht First Nation’s Ahtaapq Creek Hydropower Project (Province of BC media release) as well as $1.8 million for Xeni Gwet’in First Nation’s Underground Distribution Community Electrification Project (Province of BC media release) in the first intake for RERC funding.

2nd Intake: July to November 2020

The Renewable Energy for Remote Communities Program opened a second intake of applications for renewable energy project funding in July 2020.

Funding for projects in three remote First Nations community was announced in spring 2021 under the CleanBC plan of the Province of BC.

Kwadacha First Nation – Aatse Davie School Solar PV System

Kwadacha First Nations community in Fort Ware, 570 kilometres north of Prince George, is taking steps to transition from diesel to clean electricity generation and create local jobs. The RERC program is providing $486,000 towards a $496,000 100-kilowatt (kW) solar panel installation at the community school in Fort Ware. The installation will help the community meet its electricity demand, reduce air pollution and improve environmental outcomes. The community and its students can also compare school energy consumption with electricity generation.

"I'm excited about this opportunity. This project fits perfectly with Kwadacha's vision of becoming energy self-sufficient in a green and sustainable way. Renewable energy is the way of the future. This project allows Kwadacha for the first time to see and use this technology. Having this project tied to the school will give the children of Kwadacha a better understanding of solar power and its possible uses in the future."

— Darryl McCook, Chief, Kwadacha First Nation

Hesquiaht First Nation – Hesquiaht Community Solar Project

Students and residents in the remote community of Hot Springs Cove will benefit from the installation of solar panels at the community school, under the CleanBC plan. The RERC program is supporting Hesquiaht First Nation's transition from diesel to clean electricity generation. RERC is providing $419,000 toward a $682,000 136-kilowatt (kW) solar panel installation at the community school, creating local jobs and reducing air pollution. Located north of Tofino, the isolated village relies 100% on diesel fuel shipped in by barge.

"This announcement is part of our long journey towards sustainable energy production, which is key to preserving our rich biodiversity, clean air and pristine waters."

— Joshua Charleson, Hesquiaht Chief Councillor

Lhoosk’uz Dené Nation – Kluskus Bioenergy and Bioeconomy CHP

The Lhoosk'uz Dené First Nation community, located 195 kilometres west of Quesnel, is taking steps to transition from diesel to clean electricity generation and create local jobs. The RERC program is providing $875,000 towards a $2.2-million 40-kilowatt (kW) biomass combined heat and power project in Klusklus, a village now dependent on diesel for electricity generation and on propane for heating. Each diesel or propane delivery takes close to six hours via gravel roads, which provide the only access. The community is surrounded by dead pine stands caused by the mountain pine beetle outbreak, and has a high risk of forest fires.

"Our territory has been heavily impacted by mountain pine beetle and several large wildfires. The combined heat and power generator will provide us with a viable option for alternative energy. We will be transitioning from diesel generators to utilizing local biomass fuels."

— Liliane Squinas, Chief, Lhoosk'uz Dené First Nation

*   *   *

"Lhoosk'uz Dené, Kwadacha and Hesquiaht First Nations are moving forward with impressive new bioenergy and solar projects. They are showing how small communities can take big steps for sustainability and self-reliance by transitioning to energy sources that are cleaner and more reliable. It takes a strong vision to step into a new technology, especially in a remote location. By turning the vision into reality, they are proving practical energy solutions do exist ʹand that͛s encouraging for other small communities planning a change.

— David Marshall, Chief Executive Officer, Fraser Basin Council

There are no further intakes for RERC funding planned at this time.

Contacts

For more information, please contact:

Jim Vanderwal
Director, Climate Change Programs
C: 604 897-5350 | E:

Tanya Hebron
Program Lead, Community Energy
T: 604-376-8127 | E:

Learn about additional clean energy funding programs available for communities on the Province of BC's List of Funding Opportunities for Clean Energy Projects Led by First Nations and Local Governments.